The dissertation ‘Interactive Approaches to Rural Development’ gives new
theoretical and empirical knowledge in the collaboration on development of
rural areas and landscapes. From a perspective about the development and the
challenges faced, the study analyses which functions that are demanded by the
rural areas. Furthermore, the study makes an analysis of the collaboration in an
EU financed rural development association; the Local Action Group (LAG). The
overall objective is to:
Analyse and discuss approaches to rural development under Danish
conditions.
The dissertation is cantered around three papers introduced with a frame that
contributes to the overall objective. With point of departure in the changes that
have structured the Danish landscape, the first paper analyses and discusses how
the Danish planning system can be optimized to plan for a multifunctional
landscape. Paper two and three builds on the EU rural development policy
LEADER that through local project based development supports new income
opportunities for the local inhabitants.
Collaboration on the rural development is a subject that requires an
interdisciplinary analytical approach. The dissertation therefore builds on
different theories and both qualitative and quantitative analytical methods. The
theoretical foundation draws on generic network theory and various applications
of this. This is conducted by inclusion of ideas from interorganisational
interaction in an analysis of the collaboration between municipality and a locally
anchored development association. In addition the theory of social capital is
applied to analyse whether the partnership formation and collaboration has
supported the development of the local area. Furthermore, the concept of multifunctionality is assessed as a principle to be applied in countryside
planning and rural development. The empirical foundation of the dissertation
draws on mixed method research approach with interviews and surveys that are
studied through qualitative and quantitative data analyses. Two of the three
papers take point of departure in a case study of LAG-Djursland.
Based on the dissertation it is concluded, that a crucial factor in the development
of rural areas and landscapes is the collaboration among relevant stakeholders–
often arranged around a partnership. To secure a concrete and locally attuned
development it is important to engage local anchored stakeholders. These
stakeholders have the greatest knowledge about the local development
opportunities and barriers. Though the dissertation builds on experiences from
the Danish rural landscape, the analyses, discussions and conclusions will be
relevant in an international perspective. The interactive approach and the
analysis hereof will be applicable in other domains than that of rural
development.